Windows 7-based HP Slate referenced at WPC 2010, Ballmer says 'hardcore' tablet push coming

Is this the answer to the question we posed back in mid-June? Maybe. While we're still unsure if Hewlett-Packard has a webOS-based tablet in its pipeline, those on-again / off-again Windows 7 rumors may finally be nearing an end. On the homepage of this year's Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference -- which kicks off in earnest today in Washington, D.C. -- there's a pane of Windows 7 slates that are on deck for this year. Er, a pane with vendors promising Win7 slates this year. Sure enough, HP's logo is front and center, right alongside the likes of Sony, Dell, ASUS, Panasonic, Onkyo, Toshiba, MSI, Samsung, Lenovo and Fujitsu. We'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more, but for now, feel free to let your imaginations run wild. It's Monday, after all.

Update: During the event's opening keynote, which was headed by none other than Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, the bigwig confirmed some of what's pictured above: Windows 7 slates will be arriving this year. Interestingly, he never mentioned HP by name (despite teasing us gently at CES with an apparent mystery device), but he did note that devices would be available at various price points and in a variety of form factors -- "with keyboards, touch only, dockable, able to handle digital ink, etc." We already knew as much from being overwhelmed by prototypes at Computex, but it's good to get the word straight from Ballmer himself. Now, to see if anyone's actually interested in buying a desktop OS on a mobile form factor...

Update 2: Seems Ballmer's drinking his own Kool-Aid in a serious way, and not just on the tablet front. He noted that Microsoft will be giving consumers "a set of Windows-based devices that people will be proud to carry at home and will fit the kinds of scenarios enterprise IT's trying to make happen with the phone form factor," and that Microsoft would be "working vigorously" to "drive enterprise IT and consumers." Furthermore, Steve affirmed that the tablet sector is "terribly important" for his company, and that it's "hardcore about this." He didn't shy away from calling the range of Windows 7-based tablets coming out "over the next several months" ones that would be "quite impressive," but honestly -- what else would you expect him to say?

[Psyclotr0n Posted Jul 12th 2010 3:43PM]

Ballmer says "DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS"

[ahabkillfailwhale Posted Jul 12th 2010 4:14PM]

I think until the day Microsoft focuses on a UI/UX for a tablet form factor; Windows won't be truly competitive. The proposed first sketches for Windows 8 are interesting.

[MrBigStuff Posted Jul 12th 2010 7:11PM]

@ahabkillfailwhale

Microsoft can barely sell Windows 7 to replace Windows XP, so why are they talking about Windows 8 already. In 2012, the majority of Windows users will still be running Windows XP.

[jjsavage Posted Jul 12th 2010 4:54PM]

Just stop for a minute and compare your WWDC coverage to your WPC coverage... and you're telling me y'all aren't Apple fanboys?

[Ivixor Posted Jul 12th 2010 10:04PM]

I dont understand this anti windows 7 on tablets sentiment on technology blogs. Ill conceed that it isnt ideal but I, and many others, would rather that than the restrictive app only sandbox alternative. I resent being forced to exclusivly use chanels controlled by he manufacturer.

App like applications can always be run on desktop os's but desktop like programs will never be replicated by apps. As a design student I would like the choice to have desktop programs on my tablet. Sure their use will be somewhat restricted but im happy to plug in a mouse to have the mobility the form factor offers. A light version of CAD would work fine and I can imagine many circumstances where, even at reduced level functionality, it would be useful. Put that in an app.

[iamajim Posted Jul 12th 2010 11:45PM]

with my ne2 coming due in Oct and now all of these tablets at the end of the year...well, Christmas is going to be fun fun fun this year. i just love choices!!

[kiyu727 Posted Jul 13th 2010 12:27AM]

So, any infos on the netvertible on the picture ?